Solid-Lubrication with Continous Replenishment by Catalytically Generated Carbon and Related Means

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Catalytic surfaces for hydrocarbon cracking and dehydrogenation have been known in the petroleum industry to become inactive after some use because of carbon or "coke" coating. The proposed research is directed toward using such coatings, preferably produced under conditions simulating the environment of such operating machinery as the "adiabatic" diesel engine, as self-replenishing solid lubricants. Continued wear of the carbon coatings would maintain catalytic activity of the substrate. The operating temperatures in the piston-ring/cylinder area of such a diesel engine and the preferred temperature of catalytic coke generation by some transition metals happen to coincide in the 500-600 C range. Adsorption of combustion chamber gases on these carbons would further reduce friction and wear. The same transition metals, in alloys or in or on ceramics are also close to hydrocarbons. The suggested research program will use pin-on-disk testers on reproducibly prepared samples and determine the friction and wear rates, rates of carbon formation and rates of carbon oxidation to help guide the design and materials selection for high temperature lubrication in an engine environment.